Where Lilacs Still Bloom ~ A book review

Jane Kirkpatrick has written a lovely novel that is reminiscent of sitting on the porch listening to my grandmother tell me our family history while wafting fragrances from the lilac bushes pass over and entice the senses.
I was instantly drawn to the title of this novel, "Where Lilacs Still Bloom".  Having been born and raised in Washington State and a product of grandparents who loved to garden and more so a grandmother who loved lilacs, I found myself enchanted by the folksy down-home way Kirkpatrick had Hulda share her story and the life of her family in Washington.
Hulda Klager was a woman at the turn of the century who didn't allow traditional thinking to cloud the gift of propagation that she had.  Her original goal in working with the hybridization of plants was to create a larger firmer apple so it would be easier for her to make a pie. she found success in her efforts, however, instead of stopping with her apple, she moved on to other species of flowers and eventually started hybridizing lilacs. Her goal was a 12 petal creamy white lilac. Hulda eventually hybridized over 250 varieties of lilacs on her little farm in Washington State and has been written up in various horticulture books.
Hulda's story was not always rosy and sweet.  She suffered many losses, from the loss of her two sons-in-law and youngest daughter at a young age, to outliving most of her family and surviving many floods on her property, as they lived close to the Columbia River, including the great flood of 1948 destroyed all of her work.  Even through great loss others lifted her up and helped her rebuild her garden when she decided to give it up.
This was a lovely story of a life that fought past stereotypes, of a woman who gave hope and opportunity to many in her community and her family, and of a woman who was driven to follow her hearts desire, despite what life may have thrown her way.
Pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade and journey through Hulda's garden of life.  You won't be disappointed.

Where Lilacs Still Bloom: A Novel - By Jane Kirkpatrick

I received a free copy of this book through WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for my true and honest opinion.  I wasn't required to give a positive review of the novel whatsoever.

Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder
1 lb bacon ends (remove 1/2 of the fat)
1 medium size onion (diced)
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 cups milk (I used fat free)
6 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tsp garlic salt
2 bay leaves
2 cups potatoes (chopped)
4 cups frozen corn


In a large soup pot saute bacon and onion together.
Add flour and stir til thick.
Add in milk slowly, mixing all the while to form a nice sauce texture that's well incorporated.
Add in broth and seasonings.
Bring to boil.
Add in potatoes and corn and let simmer for 45 minutes.
Remove bay leaves and serve.

Baby Shower Blanket Cupcakes

Baby Shower Cupcakes (non-edible)  

Ingredients:

4 Receiving Blankets

4 Onsies (I used size 3 - 6 months)

4 coffee filters

4 rubber bands

2 yards or more of ribbon

1 (new) bakery box

Fold blanket the long way.  I folded into 3rds and then folded in half again (approx 2 1/2 - 3 inches wide)

Gather onsie up and roll it into the blanket. 

Secure with a rubber band

if you look closely you can see that they are wrapped with a coffee filter and tied up with a ribbon bow.

I purchased a bakery box from my local food store bakery section.

These were raved on! !  People loved the uniqueness of the idea and asked if I bought them that way. (Hmmm...a thought on future business idea perhaps?)

(I found the original idea at Little Birdie Secrets)

Wing Back Chair Renewed

Last fall on the way to the post office we drove through the quaint little town next to ours and my son spotted a lonely wing back chair sitting next to a large oak tree.  It was waiting for the next morning trash pick up.  I have an affection toward wing back chairs and camel back sofas and my son knows this. 

We quickly turned the van around and parked next to the chair and did a brief once-over.  It was definitely well -loved, by a DOG! The arms had the upholstery chewed off and it had a mild odor. 

We let it sit in the garage to 'air out', stripped the offensive pieces and then went to task stripping the whole thing down to its bare bones (the wood).  

I didn't get a good before shot, but take my word when I tell you that it was WELL-LOVED! Tons of chewed up areas, but fabric only.  The cushions were still great and didn't smell, and the wood was solid (hardwood frame that actually could have been kept exposed if I liked that look. - I don't)

We removed hundreds and hundreds of staples (this is just one small pile)

Then we used this technique from Little Miss Penny Wenny and proceeded to reupholster the girl.

 

I still need to add a little more fluff to the seat cushion but otherwise it's a lovely comfy chair for my reading corner!

Chair: Free

Fabric: (Painter's cloth) $16.00
Trim: $2.00

Extra padding: $6.00 

Total cost: $24.00

This Chair is Next!  

Old Book Shelf Idea

When I was a child I remember a paper Christmas Tree that my grandmother had made one year.  A few years ago I spent a few hours with my own children and I made a paper tree and we decorated it with ribbons and buttons.  The picture below is how it turned out.
So, with those memories tucked neatly away I was especially thrilled to see this next idea when it popped up in my Google Reader listing.  I think I'm going to head out to my local second hand store and look for a couple of good old books to make into shelves.  The only difference is that I will probably add a support to the top of the shelves.

Old Book Shelf (via Hutch Studios)